Club presidential candidate attends Manchester City clash sparking transfer rumours | OneFootball

Fresh transfer rumours may now spark in light of a leading presidential candidate at Benfica making a trip to the Etihad Stadium over the weekend, it has been revealed.

Bernardo Silva’s long-term future at Manchester City has been the subject of repeated speculation in recent months, with the Portuguese international heavily linked to a potential homecoming with Benfica.

Reports have recently suggested Silva could be at the centre of a sporting project fronted by João Noronha Lopes, who is contesting the presidency at the Lisbon club ahead of their elections, and the possibility of the midfielder returning in 2026 – when his current contract at City expires – has only heightened interest around the candidate’s movements.

Silva has become one of Pep Guardiola’s most important figures during his Etihad Stadium career, recently inheriting the captaincy after Kevin De Bruyne’s exit to Napoli earlier in the summer. But he has also made no secret of his admiration for Benfica in past interviews.

Lopes has been quick to capitalise on that narrative, reportedly making Bernardo Silva a centrepiece of his campaign, despite the midfielder still commanding the trust of Guardiola and playing a significant role in City’s ongoing season.

Now, according to MailSport’s Chris Wheeler, Benfica presidential candidate Joao Noronha Lopes – who is currently ahead in the polls – was at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday for Manchester City’s 3-0 win over Manchester United.

Lopes was pictured with his vice-president Nuno Gomes at the Etihad – one of Ruben Amorim’s best friends who played alongside him for Benfica and Portugal – and general director Pedro Ferreira.

MailSport’s report centres around the possibility of the current United boss possibly being handed an opportunity at Benfica, should his ongoing Old Trafford difficulties result in him being removed from his position.

The visit to the north-west notably comes just 24 hours after Nuno Gomes told Portuguese media, “One thing I know, Ruben Amorim will be the coach of Benfica one day.

“Joao [Noronha Lopes] has already shown in recent years that he is capable of changing Benfica, to make it greater and different from what it has been in recent years.”

For City fans, the visit may be interpreted as another sign that Benfica are circling Bernardo Silva more aggressively, and speculation will only continue to mount that the midfielder could leave the Etihad Stadium when his contract enters its final year.

What remains less clear is whether Pep Guardiola or Manchester City’s hierarchy would consider a departure earlier than 2026, albeit hugely unlikely given the importance of the player to both the dressing room and on-field tactical plans.

The club have already overseen major midfield exits with Ilkay Gundogan and Kevin De Bruyne moving on in the last few months, and losing Bernardo Silva before planned succession plans are fully in place would risk destabilising Pep Guardiola’s evolving squad.

Still, Benfica’s presidential race is only expected to increase chatter around Silva’s future. Should Lopes win the election, pressure from Portugal for a homecoming will intensify, leaving City supporters with another transfer saga to follow closely in the months ahead.